An “embarrassed and humiliated” Councillor Rob Ford has apologized for causing a drunken, expletive-laced disturbance at a recent Leafs game.

Ford said yesterday he was drafting a formal letter of apology to send to Dan and Rebecca Hope, who wrote a 2 1/2-page letter to city clerk Ulli Watkiss, outlining the events they say happened at the Air Canada Centre.

When first confronted with the couple's allegations Monday, Ford said he was being slandered. In an interview with the Toronto Star, he denied he was even at the April 15 game where the Maple Leafs beat archrivals the Ottawa Senators.

Yesterday, Ford, who looked down as he spoke to reporters, said he had lied because he was “completely embarrassed and humiliated about the whole situation.”

He said he decided to come clean after reading the couple’s complaint letter and reflecting on it.

“After I read it, I brought it home. I discussed it with my family and the right thing to do is to admit it. Be a man about it, and go down and face the music. I’m not one to run and hide. I’m here facing the music today.”

Ford, a season ticket holder, said he had been out to dinner with his wife, and had “one too many beers” before attending the game.

“I’m going through a few personal problems, but it doesn’t justify, you know, getting drunk in public and pretty well acting like an idiot if you ask me.”

The Hopes, of Enniskillen in Durham Region, said their night out in Toronto was ruined by a man with his shouting and tirades such as “You right-wing communist bastards and” and “Green party f---ing rules.”

Their complaint has been forwarded to the city’s integrity commissioner, David Mullan, who will decide whether to investigate.

Ford said he doesn’t remember making the comments but “again, I was inebriated. I’m not a heavy drinker at all. I guess it hit me pretty hard and it was an unfortunate situation.”

The Hopes said they were pleased to hear Ford has admitted to his bad behaviour.

Mullan sent them an email yesterday saying he would look into the matter when he returns to the office today.

“I would be extremely disappointed if he didn't pursue it,” said Hope. “It’s the public who elected these officials, and (Ford) could not handle himself in public. I’ll push the matter to council if I have to.”

The Hopes said they took some time before deciding to send the letter to the city, and if they had to do it over again, they would.

“I would do it again in a second tomorrow. I was speaking on behalf of the 30 or 40 people who were sitting in our section.”

The two-term councillor, first elected in 2000 to represent Ward 2, Etobicoke North, said he is still considering making a run for mayor in the Nov. 13 municipal elections.

So far, Mayor David Miller is facing a challenge from Councillor Jane Pitfield.

“I don’t know if Jane’s strong enough,” he said. “I think someone has to debate Mayor Miller one-on-one. I think I would be the person who could debate him the best.”

If Ford seeks re-election in his own ward, he does not have any competition at this point. In the 2003 election, he won 79 per cent of the vote.

Ford said he can’t stop his political opponents from trying to capitalize on the incident, but he doesn’t believe it has any connection to his role as a city councillor.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with my job or politics. This was a private situation in my private life on private time. I’m going to carry on and keep doing my job that I do at city hall.”

After the apology, Miller said it was “important” that Ford had said he was sorry, acknowledging his behaviour was “completely inappropriate.”

“As an elected official, I take my position very seriously. I’m sure he (does) the same. I think it’s important to acknowledge when you’ve done wrong,” Miller said.

With files from Donovan Vincent and Vanessa Lu

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